The Supreme Court of New Zealand has ruled: a man accused of murdering a young prostitute in 2009 in Shanghai may be extradited to China. An unprecedented decision in New Zealand, which has not signed an extradition agreement with China. Although other countries around the world have signed such agreements, extraditions to China remain extremely rare.
After twelve years of proceedings, the way for an extradition of Kyung Yup Kim is clear. Accused of murder, the man of Korean origin has been living on parole since 2016 with an electronic bracelet. From now on, he risks deportation to China at any time.
In China, 99% of defendants are convicted and torture is commonplace. The country also holds the world record for death sentences. So many arguments put forward by his lawyers, who have not yet convinced the highest New Zealand case law.
The judges argue that the Chinese authorities have pledged to imprison Kyung Yup Kim in Shanghai, where a representative from the New Zealand consulate could visit him every 48 hours while his case is being considered. Beijing has also promised adequate medical care for the man with a brain tumor, according to his lawyers.
Promises that they say they do not believe. Like the NGO Human Rights Watch, Kim’s defenders denounce an unprecedented verdict and announce that they will contact the United Nations Commission on Human Rights with this objective: to avoid the expulsion of Kyung Yup Kim at all costs.
►Archive: Death penalty, China still condemns and executes (2016)